Aeolus Pharmaceuticals, Inc ( OTC:AOLS ) is developing a platform of a new class of broad-spectrum, catalytic-antioxidant compounds that protect healthy tissue from the damaging effects of radiation. Its first compound, AEOL 10150, is being developed for oncology indications, where it is used in combination with radiation therapy. It is also being developed, with funding by the US Department of Health and Human Services, as a medical countermeasure against chemical and radiological weapons, where its initial target indications are as a protective agent against the effects of acute radiation syndrome and delayed effects of acute radiation exposure. Aeolus' strategy is to leverage the substantial investment in toxicology, manufacturing, and preclinical and clinical studies made by US Government agencies in AEOL 10150, including the contract with BARDA valued, with options, at up to $118.4 million, to efficiently develop the compound for use in oncology.

Aethlon Medical, Inc. ( OTCBB: AEMD ) Aethlon Medical creates innovative medical devices to address life-threatening diseases. The Aethlon ADAPT™ (Adaptive Dialysis-like Affinity Platform Technology) establishes the basis for a new class of therapeutics that target the rapid elimination of disease enabling particles from the circulatory system of treated patients. The lead Aethlon ADAPT™ product is the Hemopurifier®, a device that addresses a broad-spectrum of viral pathogens as well as tumor-secreted exosomes that suppress the immune system of cancer patients. Aethlon is also operating under two government contracts with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) related the development of a medical device to reduce the incidence of sepsis. Exosome Sciences, Inc. is a majority owned Aethlon subsidiary that is advancing exosome-based strategies to diagnose and monitor cancer and infectious disease progression.

Alexium International Group ( ASX:AJX.AX ) is engaged in developing and licensing its intellectual property, Reactive Surface Treatment (RST) technology. Alexium is focused on developing the RST technology for a range of military and commercial applications. Alexium’s Reactive Surface Treatment (RST) is a technology for nanoscopic coatings that combines advanced materials chemistry with a processing step. Alexium’s Reactive Surface Treatment (RST) uses cold microwave energy to direct a precursor’s polymerization onto a substrate’s surface. Its technology is used in textiles, air/fluid filtration, industrial coatings, composite fibers, leather, glass/lens surface treatment, bulk chemicals and thin films. BIODEFENSE: Responding to specific military and first responder needs, Alexium developed the Cleanshell® chemistry to offer a new generation of liquid repellency protection in chemical and biological threat scenarios. Cleanshell® CB is an advanced repellency treatment, optimized for chemical and biological protection. Cleanshell® CB has been optimized to provide excellent water and oil repellency, but has also dramatically increased the repellency of Chemical Warfare Agent (CWA) simulants. Cleanshell® CB offers days of protection versus minutes for conventional fluorocarbon repellency finishes.

BRUKER Corporation ( NasdaqGS: BRKR ) is a leading provider of high-performance scientific instruments and solutions for molecular and materials research, as well as for industrial, diagnostics and applied analysis. CBRN (Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense) : The CBRNE threats facing Armed Forces, Emergency and Security Services across the globe are complex. Simple and reliable solutions are required in order to provide protection and fast, effective response. As the market leader in CBRNE for over 20 years, Bruker understand the threat and needs of those operating against it. Our trusted equipment and software is installed around the world providing unrivalled protection. Our equipment is always easy to use and enables full spectrum Detection, Identification and Monitoring utilising state of the art technology.

Cepheid ( NasdaqGS: CPHD ) is a leading molecular diagnostics company that is dedicated to improving healthcare by developing, manufacturing, and marketing accurate yet easy-to-use molecular systems and tests. By automating highly complex and time-consuming manual procedures, the Company's solutions deliver a better way for institutions of any size to perform sophisticated genetic testing for organisms and genetic-based diseases. Through its strong molecular biology capabilities, the Company is focusing on those applications where accurate, rapid, and actionable test results are needed most, such as managing infectious diseases and cancer. BIOTHREATS : The Cepheid GeneXpert® System makes biothreat agent detection possible in minutes -- all from unprepared samples. This easy-to-use, automated and highly accurate real-time PCR instrument combines the ingenuity of more than 30 patents into a sophisticated genetic tool for first responders. A patented, disposable, cartridge test for anthrax is available now, and can be performed on-site -- delivering critical answers in critical situations.

Standard and Poor's 500 Aerospace & Defense Index is a capitalization-weighted index. The index was developed with a base level of 10 for the 1941-43 base period. This is a GICS level 4 sub-industry group. The parent index is SPX. This is a GICS Level 4 Sub-Industry group.

The Amex Defense Index (DFI) is an equal dollar weighted Index designed to represent a cross section of widely held, highly capitalized companies involved in providing systems, equipment and services to the United States government and its allies for the purpose of supporting military, defense and intelligence efforts. The component stocks operate in industry segments that include, but are not limited to, military aircraft manufacturing, shipbuilding, ground transportation, aerospace instrumentation and technology, specialized communication and radar systems, ammunition and weapon systems.

The SPADE Defense Index (AMEX: DXS) is a modified market cap-weighted index that was developed to provide a financial benchmark for the performance of companies involved with the defense, homeland security, and space. More than 50 companies currently comprise the index. Information on the Index -- including its methodology, rules, constituents, and performance -- can be found at http://www.spadeindex.com. In October 2005, the first (and currently only) exchange traded fund on defense and homeland security was launched by Powershares. The Powershares Aerospace & Defense Portfolio ETF trades under the symbol 'PPA' and is designed to track the performance of the SPADE. - more info